| Fundamentals of Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detectors | Hardcoverby Peter R. Saulson (Author)
| List Price: | $96.00 | |
| | Binding: | Hardcover | | Publisher: | World Scientific Pub Co Inc | | Page Count: | 299 Pages | | Publication Date: | November 01, 1994 | | Sales Rank: | 2,438,619nd |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Gravitational waves were predicted by Einstein many years ago but have not yet been seen. This book is about the technology of the new generation of interferometric gravitational wave detectors now being built, such as the US LIGO (Laser Interferometric Gravitational-Wave Observatory) project. The book aims to make plain how these detectors function, and why it is reasonable to think that gravitational waves may be successfully detected. After an introduction to the physical and astronomical aspects of gravitational waves, the book concentrates on explaining the basic principles behind the detectors and discusses the strategies for utilizing them. All the required background in relativity, astronomy, optics and experimental physics techniques is developed within the text and anyone with an undergraduate knowledge of physics will be able to follow the arguments presented. The book should be of use not just to physicists and astronomers who wish to acquaint themselves with the subject, but also for use on courses in experimental physics. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 3 reviews)
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Inside Story by Mr. Michael A. Hewson (Victoria, Australia)  5 Stars
January 15, 2007
This book gives the inside view from one of the designers and principal investigators of the LIGO ( Laser Interferometry Gravitatonal Wave Observatory ) project. The scientific goal of that collaborative effort is to look for 'gravity waves'. The detection of such waves would confirm some key aspects of Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, and open up an entirely new way of viewing the cosmos.
Amongst other sources, measurable waves are thought to be produced by enormously heavy stars colliding and exploding in neighbourhoods of the universe that would be very unfriendly for us if they were nearby. Out here in the quieter galactic suburbs very small effects are sought - fractional length changes with 20 zeroes after the decimal point!
The kicker is not only listening for such whispers but having any confidence about those signals in the presence of substantially larger disturbances. The noise is far greater than the signal sought after. Here some very clever design aspects must be considered and translated into functioning apparatus. If you liked the Michelson-Morley experiment then this is your update!
The author steps the reader through the overall brush-stroke level issues involved in such detectors. He examines and explains the design choices and technical challenges to be confronted for success in this area. He manages to serve to the reader a course of 'bites at the cherry' which summate and meld to a good overall view. There are liberal references to branch from should one be curious about some aspect. Some basic physics is probably needed - at least a late high school or early undergraduate level I would think. If you are a math-o-phobe, please don't worry as it's not an absolute requirement for understanding. If you aren't one, then you will enjoy and appreciate the discussion and derivations even more.
This is a terrific and engaging text presented by one who is clearly at one with the topic.
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The Only Complete Introduction 5 Stars
October 22, 2000
Covers all of the basics of the subject very well. I still refer to it occasionally. Easy to read, explanations very clear as one would expect from such a great teacher.However, it could use a follow up. Maybe "Advanced Topics in Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detection"...?
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A good book for anyone interested in LIGO or related areas. 5 Stars
June 24, 1998
This book is a great introduction to the basic theory behind gravity waves and their detection. It assumes knowledge of physics through special relativity, but not general relativity (although I'm sure it would help). You should probably have a decent understanding of tensor notation, but the ideas (as well as a lot of historic backround) are clear regardless. I am an undergraduate working on LIGO over the summer, and this book has been immensly helpful to me. Anyone who wants to review the fundamentals in this area should definitely read this book.
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